Thomas Tuchel could name a shock inclusion in his England line-up for Wednesday's World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas. The German manager has kept his squad guessing, with the starting XI likely revealed only hours before kick-off, as is his custom. Noni Madueke recently disclosed: 'We normally have a team meeting before the game, on matchday, a few hours beforehand and find out then.'
Key Positions Up for Grabs
Four key positions are still undecided: left wing, right wing, centre-half and No. 10. Bukayo Saka is set for his 50th cap despite Achilles tendinitis, saying he is 'ready to gamble' on his fitness. He will not start every game due to the issue, which requires careful management.
Anthony Gordon appears to have edged ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left wing after impressive training and a strong performance against Costa Rica in the final pre-tournament friendly.
Bellingham to Start at No. 10
Despite speculation, Jude Bellingham looks set to start at No. 10, ahead of Morgan Rogers. The Real Madrid star has arrived rejuvenated after a challenging season battling injuries, but is in top shape and considered England's best hope for World Cup glory alongside Harry Kane.
Ezri Konsa and John Stones are expected to be the preferred centre-back duo, with Marc Guehi making way. Guehi had been a regular starter for much of the past two years, including at Euro 2024. Tuchel holds both Stones and Konsa in high regard, viewing Konsa as his top pick due to his speed and tenacity, while Stones' ball-playing ability and experience are valued. However, Stones' lack of fitness could backfire; the 32-year-old played just nine Premier League games last season due to injury.
